“Strange!” I said, staring at the fire’s embers. “What’s so strange?” Eva asked, turning her head. “I almost forgot about that conversation with my old man. I probably hid it somewhere, in a little drawer of my mind, but now it came out of nowhere, as fresh as if it happened yesterday. We hide various … Read more
It was the first of December. I was turning 21.That cursed winter had already started to bare its fangs. However, that year, winter was the least of my worries.We were all at the table, the three of us. “What if,” I said, smiling, “one day I bring a girl home and say, ‘Dad, Mom, here’s … Read more
By mid-November, things were clear: I was head over heels in love with Irina. But the truly good part was that she liked me back.I wanted her like a madman, but aside from some kisses and fleeting touches, my beloved offered me absolutely nothing more. People who play blindfold chess can see the board with … Read more
Eva lightly moves her fingers through the sand. She seems preoccupied. “What’s the matter?” I ask, looking at her amused. “Clear something up for me,” she says, gathering her courage. “You told me you kissed Mia and that was your first kiss?” “Yeah. The first.” “And you were twenty-one? That doesn’t seem too… normal, so … Read more
“So, in the end, Mia was the first woman in your life,” whispers Eva. “You almost fooled me! I could have sworn it would be Irina, not Mia.” “You’re in such a rush!” I say, stunned. “Why do you jump to conclusions so quickly? Don’t you want to let me tell the story myself? Fine! … Read more
That day I went to the university just to pick up Alfredo. My small victory had to be celebrated. My throat was burning with thirst, and I had no money. But I had Alfredo. I got a bit tipsy, Alfredo barely touched his drink. We talked for hours about everything under the sun. Mostly, I … Read more
Irina’s mother was around fifty years old and was one of those “special” women, meaning she wore lipstick, blush, her eyebrows were so plucked that nothing was left of them, and, of course, “soot” on her eyelashes. For whom had she dolled up like this? She was a tired wreck, but… she was her mother. … Read more
“That’s the limit!” exclaimed Eva. “Man, do you hear what you’re saying? What boy invites a girl to a pastry shop and then just stares at the pastry chef? That’s just not done.” “Well, I had just done it. I was sitting there at that table thinking that if there was nothing more beautiful in … Read more
We measure the water level. Both Eva and I look at the stick we’ve pulled out of the cauldron. I don’t like it. She doesn’t like it either. “What date is it today?” the girl asks thoughtfully. “February 12th. Give or take a day.” “This is bad,” she says with an incredibly serious face. “The … Read more
At five to two, I quietly opened the window so the hinges wouldn’t squeak. I climbed out like a cat and then crawled cautiously on all fours to the gate. Caution was of paramount importance. On the deserted streets, a cool wind was blowing, which chased away my sleep. Now I was awake enough to … Read more